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Our Bios
Dr. Anna Hopson
Dr. Anna Hopson serves as the Director of Online Learning at La Sierra University. With over 25 years of experience in distance education, including online learning, instructional design, teaching, and technology, as well as expertise in federal and state authorization in online higher education, Dr. Hopson is well-equipped for her role. She holds a Ph.D. in Adult Education, an MA in Distance Education, and three graduate certificates in teaching and technology. Currently, Dr. Hopson is actively involved as a Co-Coordinator for SAN AICCU, where she provides support and shares knowledge with members of these organizations. Dr. Hopson and her team have laid a strong foundation for the growth of distance education by implementing and adopting various educational technologies, teaching and learning modalities, best practices, and accessibility policies and procedures, as well as providing faculty and student support across the university. Their focus on creating a sustainable foundation for distance education reflects their commitment to expanding a variety of practical learning modalities in the future.
Rayan Fargo
Rayan has had a lifelong passion for technology. For the last 15 years, his focus has been on educational and eLearning technologies. He holds a BSc in Computer Science and a Master in Business Administration. He also holds professional certificates from Microsoft and Cisco, as well as online teaching and online learning leadership certificates from OLC. Through his work in the Online Learning department, Rayan helps La Sierra University develop an online learning technology plan and the implementation of innovative learning technologies both for the classroom and the online learning environment, providing administration and support for the learning management system, lecture capture system, virtual and hybrid classrooms, telepresence robots, educational simulations, and a fully dedicated online learning help desk. In addition, he provides a customer-oriented service for students, faculty, and staff through orientations, workshops, one-to-one training sessions, and technical support.
Chris Drake
Chris Drake has worked in Blackboard Help and Instruction at La Sierra for the past eleven years, helping to set up courses and answering questions from faculty and students during the school year (and
beyond!) Within the past three years, Chris has joined forces with the Department of Online Learning team to provide continued help and support to the La Sierra community with our learning management system, Blackboard Learn. Chris likes working with the team, faculty, and students very much.
Southern California
On our suburban, gated campus in Riverside, California, you can live in one of three residence halls or the Honors dormitory. Men and women live separately. You can live off campus if you're married, in graduate programs, living with family, or above the age of 22.